3D Printer Clay Oven
3D Printer 3D printers are high-tech tools that turn CAD (computer-aided design) files into 3D objects made of plastic. There are many 3D printers on the market, but we use the 3D Systems Cube 2 on the Maker Truck. The Cube is robust, relatively simple to use and fairly inexpensive. 3D printers and CAD software are the most complex of our tools, though with some basic training and the innovation in CAD software (we prefer Autodesk s TinkerCad) great advances have been made in bringing 3D printing into classrooms and to those who are less experienced. Make your own board game 3D-printed glasses Pen holder 3D name tags 3D sculptural objects and other useful objects, like specialized parts. Objects printed on a 3D Printer need to be created using appropriate software on an ipad or computer. Rubber band car The 3D printer s main medium is plastic. Students use TinkerCAD (or other CAD software) to design a 3D object. These objects can take any shape the student can dream up and design using the software. The sky s the limit! Clay Oven When making projects out of polymer clay (like Sculpey ), we have found that it is important to buy a polymer clay oven (as opposed to a regular toaster oven they look similar!). Luckily, polymer ovens are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased online or at an arts and crafts store. Polymer clay sculptures are brightly colored, easy to work with and hardened through baking. Handles for stamps Polymer clay beads Garden markers 3D sculptural objects and other useful objects, like handles for stamps, etc. Students can use these tools in combination with the Vinyl Cutter, Laser Cutter and 3D Printer to create more complex projects. Polymer clay sculptures really only consist of polymer, though once they are baked, the objects can be glued to other materials, such as wood, cardboard, etc. We recommend using gel superglue. Wood-grain clay stamp Clay cactus
Craft Supplies Hot Glue Gun
Craft Supplies What they are We like having lots of craft supplies around while running many different hands-on activities. These are items you might find already in your classroom, in your home or at a well-stocked craft store like Michael s. We include in this category everything from crayons, paper, and scissors to popsicle sticks, googly eyes, pom-poms, paints, etc. What they make Simple 2-dimensional pictures and objects, as well as structures and objects like models and dioramas, simple machines, containers and more! What they work with Collection of paper projects Collection of popsicle stick projects Collection of creature projects Students can use these tools in combination with Shop Tools, Hot Glue Gun, ipad + Laptop, Simple Circuits, Laminator, Clay + Oven, Vinyl Cutter, Laser Cutter and 3D Printer to create more complex projects. Great materials to use are construction paper, scissors, tape, pens, paints, popsicle sticks, pom-poms, fabric, googly eyes, etc. Hot Glue Gun A hot glue gun is a light tool that heats a plastic stick to melting. Use the gun to lay down melted plastic. When the plastic dries it can act as an adhesive. Hot glue guns work particularly well with foam core, cardboard and popsicle sticks. While young children can use hot glue guns, it is important to train them on using them safely. Popsicle stick bridge Propellerpowered car Mechanical hand 2D objects as well as simple structures. Hot glue guns are great for building strong architectural objects because the glue itself is both strong and pliable when dried. Students can use these tools in combination with the Craft Supplies, Shop Tools, Laser Cutter and Simple Circuits to create more complex projects. Great materials to use with hot glue guns are construction paper and cardstock, cardboard, foam core, fabric, popsicle sticks and more! Cardboard model canoe Tornado tower
ipad + Laptop Laminator
ipad + Laptop What they are ipads/computers/laptops are handy tools for many uses, but with the Maker Truck we use a few specific programs in conjunction with other tools like the vinyl cutter, laser cutter and 3D printer to make things! We recommend using the programs Adobe Ideas, Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk s TinkerCAD and Google s Picasa, among others. What they make Laser-cut stamps 3D-printed glasses Laser-cut keychain Refined 2D objects and digital assets. Students can make drawings and renderings that can become 2D and 3D objects. What they work with Students can use these tools in combination with the Vinyl Cutter, Laser Cutter and 3D Printer to create more complex projects. Electricity and creativity! Using the ipad/computer/laptop is much more about the tools you will connect to than it is about the device itself. Personalized jigsaw puzzle Stop-motion movie Laminator Laminators are machines that heat two pieces of thin plastic to seal and waterproof sheets of paper. They are fairly inexpensive, low-maintenance and very easy to use. Laminated paper objects can be used in many ways, from signage for your classroom to name tags, board game pieces, recipe cards, etc. Laminated stickers Handmade transparency Quick & easy whiteboard Students can use these tools in combination with the Craft Supplies and Vinyl Cutter to create more complex projects. Stencils The laminator requires plastic laminating sheets. Great materials to use with the laminator are construction paper and cardstock, plus pens, paints, stickers, etc. Keyboard circuitry wallet
Laser Cutter Shop Tools
Laser Cutter Stamps Poster A laser cutter is a sophisticated machine that uses lasers to make precision cuts into many different materials, including thin pieces of wood and acrylic, chipboard, food, fabric, paper, rubber, etc. The cuts are based on 2D vector (outline) drawing files created on the computer. At SMU, we use Adobe Illustrator for interfacing with our laser cutter. Stencil letters Refined and precisely cut two-dimensional objects out of most relatively thin and relatively soft materials. The laser requires ipads or a computer on which the designs are made, and a computer to send the files to the laser cutter. Students can use the laser cutter in combination with the Craft Supplies, Shop Tools, Hot Glue Gun, Vinyl Cutter and Clay Oven to create more complex projects. Keychain Tangram puzzle Great materials to use with the laser cutter include acrylic, Mylar film, thin birch plywood, masonite, chipboard, foam core, paper, matboard, corrugated cardboard, laser-cuttable rubber, and cotton fabric. Shop Tools What they are Basic shop tools include screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, pliers, box cutters, saws, clamps. Basic shop tools are used to make simple 3D structures using basic materials like wood, PVC pipe, cardboard, etc. These tools require supervision, some training and safety equipment (like safety glasses, etc.) but can help your students build sturdy, large-scale structures and objects. Pallet wood lamp Wooden crate with lid Simple bird nesting box What they make Simple structures and objects like models and dioramas, simple machines, containers and more! Bird house What they work with Students can use these tools in combination with the Craft Supplies, Hot Glue Gun, Clay Oven, Vinyl Cutter, Laser Cutter, 3D Printer and Simple Circuits to create more complex projects. Twin compost bin Great materials to use with basic shop tools include nails, screws, glue, spray paint, tempera paint, zip ties, string, cardboard, foam core, wood, PVC pipe and more!
Simple Circuits Vinyl Cutter
Simple Circuits What they are Simple circuits are a variety of projects and tools that allow students to explore circuitry and basic electronics. We recommend using squishy circuits, MaKey MaKey, as well as basic circuitry elements like LEDs, watch batteries, small motors, etc. What they make Small, simple circuits that have enough power to light a small LED light or make a small motor run. From there, how you work LED lights or motors into the project is up to you! What they work with Students can use these tools in combination with Craft Supplies, Shop Tools, Hot Glue Gun, ipad/laptop, Vinyl Cutter, Laser Cutter and 3D Printer to create more complex projects. Great materials to use with simple circuits include watch batteries, small motors, LED lights, MaKey MaKey and conductive play dough, as well as popsicle sticks, construction paper, etc. Vinyl Cutter A vinyl cutter is a tabletop machine that can precisely cut shapes out of either sticker vinyl or heat-transfer vinyl (used with fabric, etc.). The cuts are based on 2D vector (outline) drawing files created on the computer. At SMU, we use Adobe Illustrator for interfacing with our vinyl cutter. Vibrating robots Pallet wood lamp Dead battery flashlight Conductive play dough Interactive animals Learn the vinyl cutter Personalize your space Sticker logo Refined and precision-cut vinyl stickers & heat transfers. The vinyl requires ipads or a computer on which the designs are made, and a computer to send the files to the vinyl cutter. In order to use heat-transfer vinyl on T-shirts or other fabric, a heat press or iron is required. Great materials to use with the vinyl cutter are sticker vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, T-shirts, vinyl banners and silk screening. Space Invaders cutouts Custom T-shirt design